Inside the opening of the Bill and Berniece Grewcock Animal Hospital
For decades, a world behind the scenes at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has quietly supported every animal in our care. It’s where exams happen out of view, where monitoring never stops, and where critical decisions are made with precision, focus, and responsibility. It’s a place defined by deep expertise and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s best for each animal.
Today, that work enters a new chapter.
The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Animal Hospital is now open to our animals, ushering in a new era of animal health for the more than 39,000 animals who call the Zoo home. At 32,000 square feet, the facility represents far more than a replacement for the 30-year-old hospital it succeeds.
It reflects the Zoo’s leadership in animal care and its continued role in advancing the field of veterinary medicine.
From the moment teams step inside, the difference is clear. Advanced medical technology supports faster insights and more informed decisions. Purposefully connected treatment spaces allow veterinarians, technicians, and animal caretakers to work together seamlessly, when time and coordination matter most.
Under one roof, the hospital brings together quarantine and hospitalization areas, intensive care unit wards, and an animal diet kitchen. A fully equipped pharmacy and in-house clinical pathology laboratory allow testing and results to happen in real time, enabling care plans to evolve as conditions change. Two treatment rooms and a sterile surgical suite support everything from routine procedures to the most complex cases with focus and precision.
One of the most transformative additions is the Zoo’s first-ever CT scanner. This technology gives the animal health team an unprecedented view inside an animal’s body, often reducing the need for more invasive diagnostics. Combined with other advanced tools, it expands what’s possible in diagnosis and treatment.
Care continues well beyond procedures. Integrated video monitoring allows teams to observe patients continuously without disruption, helping them detect subtle changes and respond quickly when an animal needs attention. It’s one more way the hospital supports thoughtful, attentive care around the clock.
The opening of the Grewcock Animal Hospital also marks an important step forward for the future of zoological medicine. With this facility, the Zoo joins a zoological medicine residency program through the American College of Zoological Medicine, placing it among only 32 institutions nationwide. Through hands-on experience in an environment built for collaboration, learning, and advanced care, the program will help train the next generation of zoo veterinarians.
This milestone was made possible through the generosity of more than 10,000 donors from our community, whose belief in the Zoo’s mission continues to fuel progress and innovation. With patients already being treated and full move-in underway beginning early February, the Grewcock Animal Hospital stands as a lasting investment in care, leadership, and a future shaped with intention.
While our team takes time to settle in to the Grewcock Animal Hospital, this will remain a private space dedicated to the care of our animals. We know our community members will be eager for an opportunity to see the space in person, and we’ll be exploring future educational tour opportunities through our Backstage Experiences program. More to come!